Expelled Boise State football players lose appeal; one suspension reduced

Boise State coaches talk about Hendrix, Roddie and Jackson in 2015

On National Signing Day 2015, current Boise State defensive coordinator Andy Avalos and former defensive backs coach Julius Brown spoke about recruits Marquis Hendrix, Donzale Roddie and Darreon Jackson. All three have been the focus of a Title IX
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On National Signing Day 2015, current Boise State defensive coordinator Andy Avalos and former defensive backs coach Julius Brown spoke about recruits Marquis Hendrix, Donzale Roddie and Darreon Jackson. All three have been the focus of a Title IX
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Marquis Hendrix and Donzale Roddie, who were expelled from Boise State in May after a sexual assault investigation, lost their appeals, their parents told the Idaho Statesman on Tuesday.

Darreon Jackson, a third football player, appealed a one-year suspension. It was reduced to one semester, according to his father.

Hendrix and Roddie, from Florida and California, respectively, left Boise after the spring semester and have not returned. Jackson, whose family moved to Boise from Kansas, has not been allowed to take part in team activities during the summer.

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Jack Hendrix, Marquis’ father, said his family is considering a civil lawsuit.

“I think it’s ridiculous. We’re not going away,” he said. “No African-American student should attend Boise State, the way these kids were treated.”

Tony Murphy, Jackson’s father, said they will make a decision about their next step by the end of the week, adding “I don’t think it’s going to be Boise State.”

All three redshirted last season. Hendrix is a linebacker, Roddie a cornerback and Jackson a safety. A Boise State spokesman confirmed all three are not enrolled in school. Their names were removed from the roster on the team’s website Tuesday night.

No criminal charges have been made in the case. In incidents Aug. 19, Sept. 26 and Oct. 2 of last year, the victim said she was forced into performing oral sex on Hendrix and Roddie, or in the final incident, on a recruit during his official visit after coercion from Hendrix and Jackson. The investigation began in February after the woman provided specific names and details.

Boise State statement released Tuesday night

Federal laws created to protect the privacy of all students restrict the university’s ability to comment on or release publicly student records or campus investigations.

Coach Bryan Harsin, Athletic Director Curt Apsey and all staff and coaches in the athletics department hold Boise State student-athletes to high standards as representatives of our teams, the university and the community. The department educates student-athletes to make good decisions and treat all people with dignity and respect. This is part of the Boise State culture, and those who do not meet these standards will face consequences for their actions, including potentially losing the opportunity to compete for the university.

Boise State University has followed federal laws and guidelines to build policies and procedures that direct how the university investigates allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and misconduct — as well as what steps need to be taken to eliminate the harassment, prevent its recurrence and remedy its effects.

The university is committed to thorough and fair investigations into all allegations of sexual misconduct — and to holding parties accountable when they are found to be responsible for violating the student code of conduct.

Boise State strives to be a safe and fair place for all students, faculty, staff and visitors. We believe our awareness and responsiveness to issues related to gender-based violence, discrimination and harassment ultimately makes our campus a better and more welcoming environment for everyone.

Details about the university’s policies and procedures in this area can be found at https://compliance.boisestate.edu/titleix/.